Are you trying to research the best cordless snow blowers? Maybe you want to buy one and get ready for the winter? Wondering what all the snow blower technology and design features mean?
I was also once lost when it came to these machines. But with the help of some friends, I learned a lot about snow blowers that I am happy to share in this guide. I know that snow can be a nuisance, so I wanted to share with you as much information about snowblowers as possible to make all of our lives easier!
Whether you are looking for a model to clear your driveway or help clear space for snow sculpting, we’ve explored the top options and their features.
Contents
Comparing The Products I Tested
Let’s take a quick glance at the products I tested here.
Electric Vs Gas Snow Blowers?
This is one question you will want to ask yourself, early on. Do you need an electric cordless snow blower or is a gasoline model better for your needs? Both have their pros and cons.
Gas snow blowers tend to weigh more. They’re also a bit more of an “industrial” style machine. If you have a lot of land to clear, or you are in an area where you get a lot of snow, you might need a gasoline model, but they’re not always essential.
The extra bulk and weight of a gas tank can be annoying and you need to make sure you’ve always got some gas on hand. But one big advantage of a gas snow blower is that you don’t have to keep recharging it. For long periods of use, this can be helpful.
Electric models are enough for most homes. If you are in an area where the snow doesn’t get too ridiculous, they will probably do the job sufficiently. They normally weigh less than the gas models, but they aren’t always cordless.
Obviously, if you get a cordless electric snow blower, you need one that has a hefty battery and isn’t going to die on you while you are moving the snow.
Electric snow blowers are more of an eco-friendly option and, unless you’re dealing with some serious snow, an electric model will probably do the job. The benefits of an electric model outweigh any negatives for most of us.
Battery Life
Battery life is incredibly important to so many devices used in modern life. Your snow blower is one more battery you have to think about.
Fortunately, we live in the age of the lithium-ion battery. This technology has made batteries last longer. They’re not perfect, though, and you still need to take care of your battery.
You need to think carefully about the battery life of the snow blower you are planning on buying. You need enough time to clear the area you want without having to worry about running out of juice.
Charge time is an important consideration, too. If you don’t use your snow blower regularly, you might need to remember to charge it before use.
Single-Stage Vs. Two-Stage Blowers
“Stage” is a term you might come across when shopping for your snow blower. Some are referred to as “single-stage” and others as “double-stage” or “two-stage”.
A single-stage blower has something called an auger. This is the mechanism that breaks up any compacted snow and then throws it, all in the same movement.
A two-stage blower offers a fan as well as an auger. This means it can get rid of snow a lot faster and your snow blower is more effective. They are very good when it comes to clearing wet snow.
A single-stage blower doesn’t work on gravel, because it will suck up the stones and this can damage the mechanism. However, two-stage models are designed so that the auger doesn’t make contact with the ground at any point, so you don’t need to worry about using it on a surface with stones.
Two-stage models are more effective, but they’re also heavier and much more expensive than single-stage blowers. Whether you go for a single-stage snow blower or a two-stage blower is down to what surface you will be using it on.
To recap: paved surfaces are suitable for single-stage snow blowers. Gravel or uneven surfaces will need two-stage blowers.
For a more detailed guide on the stages of snow blowers, this article on Lifehacker.com will provide you with some more information. Also, check this post by A Nest With A Yard and also this post.
Clearing Area
Another important thing to pay attention to before you buy any snow blower is the clearing area. As you may have assumed, the clearing area refers to the size of space your snow blower can handle and how much snow it can clear at once.
This is usually measured by snow depth and width. Bigger models can clear depths and widths of 20 inches or more. This is incredibly useful if you are looking to clear a larger area, but it could be overkill if you just need to clear a little pathway.
A machine with a huge clearing area isn’t always necessary and you are probably going to have to go up and down a few times with your snow blower, either way. A snow blower with a large clearing area will also add a lot to the price tag.
Price
We’d all love to spend as much as we like on our homes and garages, but the truth is that it quickly gets expensive. The price point for the best cordless snow blower is an interesting area to research.
If you are buying a blower that is suitable for home use, is electric powered, and has a good set of features, you might be able to find cheaper. This sort of model can clear a driveway or a space for a winter party with ease.
If you are looking for the top of the range and you want a product that can clear huge amounts of snow in one go and isn’t limited by battery life, you could end up spending much more.
Finding the right snow blower for your needs and budget is a unique purchase that depends on where you are planning to use it. What’s best for one person may not be best for someone else.
Taking Care Of Your Snow Blower
While a snow blower is only used during certain parts of the year, there are still things you can do to extend its life and keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
If you are using an electric portable snow blower:
- Store your batteries somewhere that isn’t freezing cold. Inside the house is preferable.
- Don’t let your battery go over six months without being charged.
- If you can avoid it, don’t let the battery die completely, as this can mean it depletes quicker in the future. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time.
- After you’ve used the snow blower, dry it as much as possible and store it somewhere dry. This equipment can be prone to rust.
- Don’t leave the battery charging for longer than the manufacturer suggests, or is required. This can damage the battery.
For a gas snow blower:
- Make sure you follow manufacturer instructions on engine oil.
- Always have a supply of gasoline on hand. Don’t rely on getting gas the day you plan to use your snow blower.
Cordless snow blowers don’t need as much maintenance as you might think. However, following the tips above to keep the unit dry and the battery in good condition will help.
Cordless Snow Blower Reviews
To make your life easier, I’ve picked out some of the best cordless snowblowers and provided some reviews and recommendations below.
Snow Joe ION18SB
The Snow Joe has some brilliant features and is a reliable electric snow blower. It has a lithium-ion battery for long battery life and does a good job in a lot of different snowy conditions.
PROS
- It features “whisper quiet” snow removal. This means you don’t have to annoy the neighbors early in the morning or use hearing protection when clearing the sidewalk.
- Has a clearing area of 18 inches in width and 8 inches in depth.
- The battery can last up to 40 minutes on one charge — plenty for most home snow blower needs.
- It comes with headlights so you can see what you’re doing late at night or early in the morning.
- The chute where the snow is blown out rotates so you can choose where you want the snow to go when removed.
CONS
- Not suitable for use on gravel surfaces.
- The directional chute is useful, but the snow doesn’t throw far from the machine.
This is not a top-of-the-range, heavy-duty cordless snow blower, but it is good enough for home use. If you need to clear snow for 10-20 minutes in the morning or on a dark evening, this one could do the job.
The rechargeable battery means that you can cut down on your carbon footprint by avoiding using gasoline.
18 inches of clearance is suitable for most home needs and, as long as the snow isn’t over 8 inches in height, the Snow Joe ION18SB can usually handle it. This is an all-around decent home snow blower, good for low-light areas.
The Greenworks PRO is another example of what a good quality battery can do when combined with a cordless snow thrower — plenty of usage time and even a quick-charge function.
This is a model with a good amount of clearance and it is worth considering for home use and clearing modestly-sized driveways.
PROS
- 30-minute charge time to allow you to use your snow blower on short notice.
- Use the battery for up to 45 minutes at a time.
- 20-inch wide clearing path in up to 10 inches of snow.
- Rotating chute allows you to choose where you want the snow to go.
- LED lights so you can see the area you are clearing with ease.
- Brushless motor that is very quiet and doesn’t need maintenance.
CONS
- The unit may not start reliably if the battery has not been stored at room temperature.
- A bit prone to clogging when used on heavy snowfall.
- Not always sold with the battery and charger. You may have to purchase these separately.
This is a good option for home use and the 20 inches of clearance is certainly decent. It lets you clear out the snow with relative ease, so you don’t have to spend too long tackling the snow. It copes with snow up to 10 inches deep so, even if a lot has fallen, it should do a decent job.
This particular battery has good points and bad. The quick charge is a fantastic function, but having to keep it at room temperature may not be realistic for a lot of people, although this is recommended for most batteries, anyway.
Snow Joe SJ623E 18-Inch
This is an alternative product from Snow Joe and it represents good value for money. Though this is not a cordless model, I’ve included it on the list as an alternative, as it is very affordable. If you can cope with an extension cord, this could be an option.
The Snow Joe brand makes a lot of good snow blowers and there’s a reason they’re popular. This is a good example of a product that can move a lot of snow very quickly.
PROS
- There’s no need for any maintenance, oil, or gas. Just plug in and go.
- Heavy-duty auger is designed to cut away compacted snow and ice.
- Clearing area of 18 inches in width combined with 10 inches depth.
- Adjustable chute which can throw snow over 20 feet away.
- Comes with a tool to clean out the chute and any snow that has built up inside.
- Moves a lot of snow — it can move up to 720 pounds of snow a minute!
CONS
- Not a cordless model, so you will need an extension cord.
- You may have to move at a slow speed to clear the snow reliably.
The main benefits of this model are the fact that it can clear a lot of snow in a short amount of time, and the price. Okay, so it isn’t cordless. However, if you are in the market for an affordable snow blower that does a reliable job, the Snow Joe SJ623E is an option to look into.
EGO Power+ 21″ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Dual Port Snow Blower
The EGO Power+ snow blower really stands out. It has a large clearing area and a hard-wearing design to go with an impressive battery.
When choosing an electric cordless snow blower, you might worry about the power. Some of them lose a bit of power in the motor because they rely on a battery instead of electricity or gas. The Ego Power+ manages to do a decent job without being plugged in.
PROS
- Very quiet operation.
- Combines two batteries for power and can draw on this power for better snow clearing.
- Snow can be thrown up to 35 feet — controlled by the auger speed.
- You can direct the chute up to 180 degrees to choose which way snow is blown.
- Can cope with heavy compacted snow.
- Up to a 21-inch wide clearing area.
CONS
- More expensive than many of the other options on the market.
- Can struggle if the snow gets above 8 inches in height.
This snow blower does a good job at home and can clear snow and ice quicker than many of the other cordless snow blowers. The dual batteries give an extra power boost and the fact you can throw the snow further might be appealing to some.
The clearance is good and the battery starts up reliably. It has headlights and is a very durable model. If you don’t mind parting with more money than some of the budget snow blowers on my list, it is worth considering the EGO Power+ 21″.
Snow Joe ION100V-21SB-CT
Yet another option from Snow Joe. This one offers some different features to the two Snow Joe options already on the list. It is larger in terms of clearance and a little more heavy-duty. Plus, it can move a lot of snow, all whilst using battery power.
The auger is well-constructed with a clever design to chew through compacted snow. This design is suited to a larger area than many of the other Snow Joe models, due to the wider clearing area.
PROS
- 2800W brushless motor — needs no maintenance and is very quiet considering the power.
- Features “auger assisted drive” — designed to help the unit to get through more snow with ease.
- Auger can move up to 16 tons of snow per charge. This is impressive for a cordless snow blower.
- Dual headlights for optimal visibility when it’s dark outside.
- 21-inch width can clear large areas quicker than the Snow Joe ION18SB.
CONS
- Sold without the battery. You need to buy the battery unit with charger separately.
- This is a single-stage model so it is not suitable for use on gravel.
- Much more expensive than the other Snow Joe models I’ve reviewed on this list.
- Battery life is only 30 minutes — other Snow Joe snow blowers can last 45 minutes per charge.
The Snow Joe range has some very good snow blowers on offer. This is one of their more hard-wearing options for a cordless snow blower and it can move a lot of snow in not much time at all. If you don’t mind paying a little bit more, it could be a good option.
The auger-assisted drive is a plus point that sets the Snow Joe ION100V-21SB-CT apart from the other models.
FAQs About Snow Blowers
Are Electric Snow Blowers Any Good?
Electric snow blowers have their limitations and are primarily designed for home use, but yes, they are good enough for these purposes. If you don’t mind recharging the battery, an electric snow blower is not only good, it’s better for the environment.
What's The Difference Between A Snow Blower And A Snow Thrower?
“Snowblower” and “snow thrower” are two terms used for single-stage and two-stage blowers. People refer to the single-stage options as snow throwers because they throw in one movement, but a snow blower is a two-stage machine that has a fan included, as well.
How Much Snow Can A Snow Blower Handle?
It varies, but you can get a good gauge on this based on the clearing area. Obviously, you can go over areas multiple times. However, if the snow doesn’t get thrown far away, you could be going over the same snow multiple times.
Do Snow Blowers Work On Ice?
Most snow blowers can clear small amounts of ice. The augers are designed to break up ice and compact snow. However, if there is a lot of compacted ice, the machine might struggle. This depends on the area you are living in and the amount of snow and ice the area is prone to.
Can I Use A Snowblower On Gravel?
Yes, but only a two-stage snowblower. A single-stage model is fine for paved driveways, but it cannot differentiate between what is gravel and what is snow, so it will suck gravel into the mechanism. This causes a hazard and can also break the machine. There are models suitable for gravel driveways, examined her.
Wrapping Up The Best Cordless Snow Blowers
Have you found my article on the best cordless snowblowers useful? I spent a long time putting this research together after experiencing problems with poor snow blowers.
As a result, I recommend the EGO Power+ 21 as the best cordless snow blower available. It features a wide clearance area, directional chute, and lots of power provided by the two batteries working together.
These features make for a robust model that can stand up to the cold mornings, but it is also thorough. It can churn through the snow pretty quickly.
If you don’t have a lot of snow and are looking for even smaller and lighter option, check if a leaf blower is a viable option for you. Read our post where we talk about how to use a leaf blower for clearing snow.
If you are looking for more info on lightweight and easy to operate snowblowers, read our article about the best machines for women and the best models for elderly.
If you have further comments about snow blowers and want to share your recommendations and opinions, feel free to leave a comment in the section below.
About The Authors
Last update on 2024-04-30 at 10:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API